GUATEMALA-TOURISM
GUATEMALA/TOURISM
Independent experts have warned that a tourist is not the same as a visitor, but the Guatemalan General Migration Direction (DGM) reported entry of 1.045 million foreign people to Guatemalan territory until
The goal to receive a million visitors or tourists, fixed as a great challenge by the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INIGUAT) was fulfilled on November 4, informed by Willi Kaltschmitt, Presidential Commissioner for Tourism, who assured Guatemalan hotels are happy, though November was not a good month, because of insecurity problems, such as hold-ups, murders and robbery.
Consulates and embassies from Mexico, US, Europe, Asia and Latin America recommended their citizens not to visit Guatemala, and sources of the tourist sector admitted 3 cruisers which scheduled their coming to the Caribbean zone cancelled their trips.
The Bank of Guatemala (BANGUAT) received 657.44 million dollars from January 1 to November 18 by concept of tourism and travels, going over the income reached in 2003, which was 600 million dollars.
However, Julio Santizo, president of the National Tourist Self Management Committees Coordinating Office (CONCATUR) questioned the data offered by DGM, and said the million visitors was not equivalent to the number of tourists.
Kaltschmitt, for his part, pointed out that the arrival of Central Americans to
Paradoxically, local news media published a campaign made by Salvadorans, in which people assured they have been robbed during their stay in
The group is formed by commercial, entertainment leaders with influence in different topics of the Salvadoran life.
tac/Ucl
